Rewards: Earn 1 Aeroplan Mile for every $1 in purchases charged to the credit card. Earn $1.5 Aeroplan miles per $1 spent on eligible gas, grocery, drugstore and AirCanada.com Purchases.

One of many travel rewards cards linked to the Aeroplan Miles loyalty program, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite credit card provides members with opportunities to earn Miles while taking advantage of Visa Infinite benefits. But is it really as good as it looks on paper? We look at whether it’s truly one of the best rewards credit cards in Canada.

The Aeroplan Miles Rewards Program: How It Works

The Aeroplan Miles program is a rewards system with a focus on travel with Air Canada, a leading Canadian airline. Aeroplan Miles can be redeemed for travel rewards including flights on Air Canada and their partner airlines, hotel stays, car rentals, and vacation packages. Additionally, there are experiential rewards like events tickets, plus merchandise available through the Aeroplan program. You can also donate your Miles to select charities, or transfer them to another member.

Air Canada and its partner airlines operate in over 190 countries worldwide. With Aeroplan Miles, you can travel in different classes—economy to first-class—or with Market Fare Flight rewards you have unrestricted access to any available seat. Round-trip flights start at 15,000 Miles and cost up to 280,000 Miles; one-way trips cost half of that. With the “Around the World” flight option, you have a maximum of five stopovers and one crossing for both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

One important caveat to note: the Aeroplan program is being completely overhauled and relaunched in 2020. Right now, we don't know how that will affect the rewards system, so it's food for thought if you're looking to apply for a credit card that's geared at racking up Aeroplan Miles.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit Card Review: The Rewards

With the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit Card, you get:

15,000 Miles on first purchase with no minimum spend

5:$1 spent on gas, grocery, drugstore, and purchases on AirCanada.com

1:$1 spent on all other purchases

Twice the Miles earned when you use your card at over 150 Aeroplan partners and more than 120 online retailers

The redemption process for the Aeroplan program can be a little confusing, depending on what you are trying to achieve. For merchandise or events tickets, you can simply go to the online Aeroplan store, log in, and purchase. While there is a broad catalogue to choose from, the store itself feels a little dated. There aren’t the deep descriptions, images, and reviews that are standard now on most eCommerce sites, and the result is a lack of confidence in the product offerings.

If you’re trying to get a flight, however, you’ll have to navigate the program options first. Miles can go towards Fixed Mileage Fight Rewards or Market Fare Flight Rewards, each with its own matrix. The number of Miles required will be further dependent on season and other options, but the good news is that your Miles apply to all costs—including the taxes, fees, and surcharges. You can redeem online, or call a representative for help.

Other Perks

In addition to the opportunity to earn Aeroplan Miles, cardholders receive:

Travel emergency medical insurance for you, your spouse, and dependent children for up to 21, without even having to charge the trip to your card

Other travel coverage including trip cancellation or interruption, delayed or lost baggage, flight/trip delay, travel accident, and car rental insurance

One complimentary checked bag on Air Canada flights

Priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada flights

One free guest pass to the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge annually

Preferred rates at Avis Rent-A-Car and Budget Rent-A-Car

The Visa Infinite program offers its members benefits including:

24-hour Visa Infinite Concierge to arrange reservations and help with your to-do list

Visa Infinite Luxury hotel experiences

Visa Infinite Food and Wine experiences

Pros and Cons of the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit Card

Like other Aeroplan cards, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite offers some decent travel benefits, like the complimentary checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, and a visit to the Maple Leaf lounge. TD’s travel insurance package is good—and it applies even if you didn’t charge the trip to your card. Cardholders also get the benefits of Visa Infinite perks.

The welcome bonus of 15,000 is average at best, and the Miles to dollars ratio is exactly the same as other cards in the Aeroplan program—which, itself, is somewhat limited. Redemption could be easier, and with the program slated to change in 2020, it’s unclear whether it’s worth it.

The Verdict: Is the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit Card Worth It?

We’re loving some of the perks of this credit card: one complimentary checked bag on Air Canada flights, priority check-in and boarding on Air Canada flights, and the free lounge pass are all enticing. Also, the comprehensive travel insurance that doesn’t require you to charge the trip onto the credit card is a big bonus.

However, we’ve got a few concerns about the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit Card. The benefits and earning opportunities aren’t strong enough to warrant a $120 annual fee, and the impending overhaul of the Aeroplan program in 2020 leaves many questions unanswered about how it will impact reward value. Our advice? Check out these other best travel rewards credit cards in Canada, and then decide if the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit Card is for you.

Keph Senett

Keph Senett is a Canadian freelance writer with an interest in helping people make solid choices towards debt-free living. Her work has appeared in publications including Al Jazeera America, Greedy Rates, BBC News, and The Globe & Mail.

7 Comments

I have it (transfer from CIBC) and I love it. Its my only card and I happily pay the $120 per year for it (had it for like 10 years)

Rayon February 22, 2015 at 1:32 pm

I was looking at the Scotia Infinite Visa which I think is the best cash back rewards card offering 4% back on gas and groceries. The problem is that the places where I do my grocery shopping in the GTA (No Frills does not accept VISA and Walmart supercentre is not considered a ‘grocery’ store even though they are now a major player in the Canadian grocery scene).

Does anyone know how can one get the benefit of the Scotia 4% cash back while grocery shopping at either of these stores.

Thanks,

Ray

Valerieon March 17, 2015 at 8:34 pm

I signed up for it last year, and got the fee waived. I accumulated a good number of points. Still undecided if I’m going to keep it this year if I have to pay the fee. I’m wondering if there is any hope of getting it waived again.

I will say that the travel insurance is good. I made a claim when a flight (that I had paid for on my TD Visa) was cancelled and I was re-booked onto a flight the next day. The insurance covered my hotel and meals for the night.

Just a note that some banks (TD and BMO) waive the annual fee of their credit cards if you have a “no interest” chequing account. The monthly fee on these chequing accounts is also waived if you maintain a minimum balance in the account (normally 5K).

john allenon November 30, 2016 at 12:39 pm

I have no problem with the card, i have a problem with Areoplan, to get the flights you want you have to book months in advance. This year i try to book 9 weeks in advance for a trip to England I could not get a flight using Aeroplan so i had to pay to fly with another airline. i am now booking a flight to the states but have to use Air Canada rouge which is a piece of shite if i want to use aeroplan miles. i have black status because i use my card so much, but after this trip i am going to cancel my credit card and go with a different card supplier, why pay $120.00 a year for a card that does nothing for you.

Johnon June 27, 2018 at 6:30 am

Had the card for years and like it because I use the benefits like insurance and aeroplan miles. The fee is worth it, IF you use the benefits.

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